Hello everyone! I have a question, so I have a used 06 Honda Accord LX SE, I took it to the shop and they told me I have a leak coming from my power steering pump that is leaking on my rack, and that I need to replace both, is that necessarily the case? I ask because I’m a college student and this literally is almost 2k of work. Any suggestions? Ignore the attached picture, it wouldn’t let me remove it
Okay first things first figure out how dirty your PS fluid is. Just follow these steps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0fiZCHz5ew and change it even if it's somewhat dirty.. If your unsure any wheel and tire shop can test and change it. Realize changing it yourself will not get all the fluid and you might need to repeat the steps in the video 2 times. Or you could have it flushed. It's not cheap to flush it but the benefits are you know that 100% of the fluid is new so at that point its up to you its not hard to do at all but if its SUPER dirty have it flushed by the pros. If its only a little dirty do a light flush yourself.
before you fill it back up be sure your putting in the PS fluid honda recommends.. I see it at my autoparts store but everyone carries it be sure to use that aaaanddddd
2 Get yourself some this stuff https://www.amazon.com/Lucas-10008-Power-Steering-Stop/dp/B000ARPVNO and follow the instructions on the bottle and PRAY this stops the leaking. Hopefully it does and even if it sorta works just keep putting it in somewhat regularly and top off the fluid when needed. Hopefully this saves your bacon.
If it doesn't help at all then you have to do some math. Is this car worth 2,000 of power steering work? You didn't say what mileage is or anything so idk if is or not. If it is worth saving then talk to at LEAST 3 different mechanics(and NOT a Honda dealer) and price around on the parts you need. Don't buy anything NEW for the power steering unless you can't find it used and replace whatevers leaking since your on a tight budget. If it's high mileage and not worth ~2k$ worth of work then I would into buying another car because that is a lot of money to invest in a 06
@jacksonishere
Wow, thank you fr! I have to find a reliable mechanic honestly, it seems like they just telling me anything just to pay big bucks. Also, it has 200K in mileage! So as of now I don’t have the money to buy another car 😭 maybe next semester lol. We will see, so I will try that link you sent me and hopefully that stops the leak, thank you! I will also get it checked out again
If it is not dripping fluid on the ground, keep driving it.
If in the worst case, your power steering won't work at all, you only have a stiffer steering wheels.
I would say if its a slow leak just keep driving it. Chances are it will last the life of the car as long as you keep it topped up.
Just get a new good quality power steering pump. Unless the rack itself is leaking too, I don’t see why they would want to change it.
Take it to another mechanic who your friends/family trust & get a second opinion.
